Is There A Cure For Your Arthritis and Swollen Joints?

So you believe that arthritis is a joke? Maybe you think that people are over exaggerating about the pain associated with their swollen joints. When it's cold outside the pain worsens. How do I know about people with swollen joints and arthritis pain? One day, I was scheduled for a follow-up visit from a foot operation at Detroit Receiving Hospital. Due to the fact that the orthopedic department at Detroit Receiving hospital has a great reputation, the wait to see the doctors can be long even if you are scheduled for an appointment. On this particular day I waited for three hours for an appointment that was scheduled for one o'clock pm. During the wait the waiting lobby was filled with people complaining about back pain, knee pain, swollen joints and things of the sort. Many were middle age but some appeared to be younger than 30 years of age. While there, I spoke with people who had suffered so badly that they opted for joint replacements either in the knee or hip. The pain that they were going through did not seem like anything that I wanted to be affiliated with.

After going home and doing more research on swollen joints and arthritis, I learned something that I could not believe. I discovered that arthritis is something that can be treated through nutrition. You mean to tell me that those people at the hospital could have avoided joint replacements? Harvard Medical School did a study confirming that it is possible to treat and possibly cure arthritis through nutrition.

Harvard Medical School took roughly 30 people who were scheduled to get joint replacement surgery and asked if they could hold on for a short time longer to be a part of an experiment to re-grow cartilage. What they did was give them a large tablespoon of ground chicken cartilage in a cup of orange juice everyday for three months. This study was performed to debunk the myth that collagen and glucosamine (animal cartilage) were being used by some doctors to treat and cure arthritis on humans. In the midst of trying to prove another study wrong, Harvard Medical School proved them to be correct! For many years animal cartilage has been used on racehorses with swollen joints and knee problems. The study showed three things:

繚 Within 10 days, there was a significant decrease in the patient's swollen joints.

繚 Within 60 days, most of the patients could open up a new pickle jar.

繚 Within 90 days, 28 out of the 29 were "clinically cured".

You will never see this study broadcasted on television stations or on the radio for many reasons. The primary reason is money. If the world was able to find out about this study the orthopedic industry would take a big blow and lose millions or possibly billions of dollars. The truth of the matter is that joint replacement surgeries act as a band-aid to swollen joints and joint problems. The problem is that the root cause of the arthritis is not being addressed. Prescription drugs will only ease the pain of your arthritis and swollen joints over a period of time. After that period, your system will become immune to the drugs and they will have little to no effect.

German Shepherds and Hip Problems

German shepherds are undoubtedly one of the more popular dogs among families and god enthusiasts. Unfortunately, they can be susceptible to certain health problems that you need to watch out for.

German Shepherds and Hip Problems

Make no mistake about it, we love our dogs. They have quirky personalities and soon become a part of the family. Heck, I often treated my pup better than I did myself. You will note I use the pass tense. My pup recently passed away from health problems. While young, he was vibrant and playful. As he got older, however, he started having health problems until it reached a point where I had to carry him up the stairs in the house. The humane thing was to finally put him down and end the pain. It didn't feel very humane to me and I doubt I will ever forget that moment. It does raise the issue, however, of health problems and your pup.

German shepherds are tremendously popular. They are loyal, smart, beautiful and noble dogs. Unfortunately, they are also at risk for certain health problems - particularly hip problems. If you are considering one for your family dog or already have one, you need to know the risks and what to watch out for in regard to symptoms.

The biggest issue German Shepherds face is often dysplasia. Canine hip dysplasia is sadly a fairly common problem in bigger dogs. It is caused both by genetic disposition and environmental factors. In practical terms, hip dysplasia acts like arthritis. The bones interacting in the hip joint do not fit correctly, which causes wear and tear. The body also attempts to generate cartilage to repair the problem, but it fails and actually further impedes the range of motion and exacerbates the problem. This will ultimately cause soreness and pain upon movement and will also restrict the range of motion in the legs. It can occur in the front legs, but most often presents in the hind legs.

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot that can be done. Anti-inflammatory and pain medication is most often prescribed. Hip replacement surgery is possible, but results show the pup has a significantly reduced quality of life.

Canine hip dysplasia will not present in your pup as you might anticipate. Simply put, German Shepherds are stoic dogs. They will not yelp or bark from pain unless it is significant or sudden. There are only really two practical ways to realize your dog has the problem. The first is a limited range of motion. If the pup is dragging a leg or having problems getting up, you should see a vet. The second symptom you will see is dramatic. If your pup just refuses to walk or suddenly sits down while walking, it means they are in a great deal of pain. Again, they will rarely bark or yelp when this occurs, so it is important you recognize what is going on.

Ultimately, hip dysplasia is one of those things many German Shepherds are simply going to face. You can care for your pup by making sure you recognize the symptoms, see a vet and get pain medication.

You Can Overcome TMJ Pain

All TMJ patients understand exactly how unpleasant condition it can be, and in some cases it is also extremely difficult to get rid of. Nevertheless, there are some TMJ treatments that have actually proven to work in many cases.

Some of the most common symptoms of TMJ include ache in the jaw, neck, mouth, as well as back. Other normal symptoms consist of light sensitivity, headaches, ear ache, as well as tinnitus. Because many symptoms are similar with some other medical conditions, sometimes the condition is difficult to diagnose. If you experience any of the symptoms above, and they start to bother you, it might be a good idea to start seeking for some professional help, such as a dentist.

Typically, a dentist will first ask about the symptoms. Try to be as specific as possible since this helps a lot in diagnosing the condition. They also may take a dental x-ray. Additional instruments that might be used as well consist of MRI's and ultrasounds. Usually, after all the experiments the dentist is able to give a right diagnose.

There are some common causes of TMJ, such as arthritis, stress, teeth grinding during night, as well as jaw thrusting. It is necessary to determine the main causes of your TMJ in order to plan the most appropriate treatment for your particular case.

At home you can begin with taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, and applying ice packs or heat packs to the area. Whatever feels best, or alternating if that works.

When it comes to your diet, you should eat something soft. This is especially important if you are experiencing a great deal of discomfort while chewing. Sometimes more radical approaches are required. If you have some dislocation in the jaw, it may need the use of laser therapy, or even surgery.

Occlusal splints worn at night is rather commonly used treatment in reducing teeth grinding. However, this is not ideal for all sufferers because it can also increase the grinding. However, together with your dentist you will find a proper treatment for your own condition.

All TMJ cases are unique and the treatment has to be determined according to this. What works for some individuals doesn't necessarily work for others. The most important thing to keep in mind is to find guidance before the condition develops into more extreme as well as more challenging to get rid of.

Having treatment and learning to deal with the complication will allow you to prevent TMJ from advancing, and allow you to get the relief you are looking for. A dentist or oral medical expert will be the most accurate individual to assist you with diagnosis and finding a cure for your TMJ. So, get an appointment and get rid of the discomfort today.

TMJ Tinnitus - How to Understand and Treat TMJ Tinnitus

TMJ disease has many medical manifestations such as TMJ neck pain, TMJ ear pain and TMJ tinnitus. In fact, almost half of those suffering from TMJ dysfunction, have tinnitus as a symptom. This disorder is somewhat more difficult to diagnose as it is not really caused from the hearing loss, but more a result of your jaw being out of alignment. Once identified, however, relief can often be successfully achieved, sometimes with a few weeks of finding the TMJ tinnitus.
 
TMJ
 
TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder, is a disorder that involves the misalignment of the jaw, is one of the lesser known causes of hearing loss. The joint is found in front of the ear, and allows us to speak, chew and smile. TMJ sufferers usually wake feeling like they never slept or at least, did not sleep well.  TMJ disorders include sinus headaches, migraine headaches,  jaw joints popping when yawning and/or eating, tingling fingers, stiff neck and shoulders, frequent dizzy spells, lower back pain, and light-headedness. 
 
Tinnitus
 
Tinnitus is often suffered by TMJ victims as a side effect. Hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and nausea was often mentioned in case histories of TMJ patients. Earlier this year, researchers reported that patients with craniocervical mandibular disorders suffered with tinnitus as a primary or secondary complaint. If tinnitus is present for no obvious reason, a questionnaire may be developed by the audiologist that will help in determining if the condition is linked to a jaw joint dysfunction. Compression of the tissues behind the jaw joint are often the cause of decreased hearing and TMJ tinnitus. 

Treatment
 
TMJ tinnitus remedies treat the tinnitus noises you are hearing, relieve the pain , treat the depression and also help you to sleep. A thorough diagnostic assessment is done prior to treatment. The cause of TMJ can be different, depending on the TMJ dysfunction patient, so careful treatment and diagnosis is important. It is recommended that two to three weeks into the course of treatments, you have chiropractic manipulation of the temporalis masseter muscles in the jaw. The course of treatments may involve taking two separate remedies , which between them treat the pain, the tinnitus, help relieve the depression, help you to get some sleep and most important of all, help you to relax those tensed muscles. Cranial osteopathy - gentle, hands-on structural adjustment, used with other treatments, is used to address TMJ, facial pain, headaches, vertigo, tinnitus, and ear infections.

The Better Way of Curing TMJ Disorder

TMJ happens when the joints involved do not function the way they should. When one or more TMJ joints don't function well, symptoms such as a stiff and sore jaw and clicking or popping sounds while eating could happen. Other symptoms that may occur are ear pain and definitely headaches. Although, there are also other conditions in which these symptoms also occur. This is why it is very important that the professional whose opinion you are seeking from is very reliable and known in the field of determining TMJ disorders. If this disorder is misdiagnosed, then your treatment plan may not match with your health needs.

There are a lot of TMJ cures available today. They vary from invasive and non invasive procedures which will really help in easing the pain and other symptoms you feel from TMJ. More people would, of course, prefer non invasive treatments because they are less painful and no surgical incisions needed. A few examples of natural TMJ cures are exercise and massage. Jaw massage can ease the pain you are feeling and this is also very easy to do.

When you are trying to treat this condition, try to also avoid habits which could contribute to what is causing it. These habits include jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Doing these could cause teeth misalignment and lead to TMJ disorders. Jaw exercise is a great and easy way to manage and cure TMJ symptoms caused by teeth misalignment. Through these types of exercises, you will be guided on handling your jaw muscles and help you minimize or completely stop clenching it. Another TMJ cure is undergoing bite therapy. A dentist tries to determine what is specifically causing this condition or the symptoms you feel by meticulously analyzing your mouth and jaw.

If there are no other means of curing TMJ, then your physician might suggest you undergo a surgery. If you haven't tried the other non invasive ways of taking care of this condition, don't result to choosing surgery right away. Sometimes, these operations don't come out entirely successful and might even worsen your condition.

Keeping Your Body Healthy and Mobile!

There are many theories about health out there, each with its own merits. One that I have come to embrace is that maintaining correct motion in a system is absolutely vital to achieving maximum health. What I like about this philosophy is that it seems to apply no matter which bodily system you are looking at. I come from a chiropractic point of view, and I feel that this theory applies to not only what I do as a chiropractor, but also to health issues that I rarely deal with. Let me give you a few examples of what I mean.

What happens with heart disease? The arteries around the heart begin to narrow, typically because they build up a layer of plaque called atherosclerosis. This plaque impedes the natural flow (motion) of the circulatory system, and over time can lead to a heart attack because the heart isn't getting the nutrients it needs.

Are you familiar with bedsores, and why they occur? When a person is immobile, bedridden, and unable to change positions, the simple pressure of their body on a mattress leads to the formation of bedsores. The body starts to break down because it's under constant pressure. Even though this pressure is considerably light, the fact that it is constant makes it enough to cause damage to body tissue. The same concept is true inside the body as well. Your joints are designed to move. When they don't, pressure builds up inside of them, which can lead to inflammation and pain. Eventually it can cause osteoarthritis (more accurately called degenerative joint disease). That is why chiropractic care can be so important in helping to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My goal as a chiropractor is to identify those joints, and muscles which may not be moving as they should, and provide treatment to restore the full range of motion.

There is a fascinating study done on rabbits that found:
"After 5-6 weeks of immobilization most of the knees showed moderate or severe changes including loss of articular cartlilage and osteophyte formation."

By simply immobilizing a joint, they were able to create degenerative joint disease similar to that found in humans.

Think about what a vast majority of Americans do every day. Many of us go to work and sit in a chair eight hours a day, then come home and relax by sitting in front of the TV/computer for another few hours before going to bed and starting the cycle all over the next day. What is this doing to our bodies? If this sounds familiar, take a quick inventory of your posture when you sit. Are your shoulders rounded? Does your neck stick out in front of your shoulders? Is there a pronounced curve in your upper back as you slouch in the chair? How much is your back actually moving in a day? If you're honest, you'll realize that your back doesn't move much at all. Sure it's not being forcibly immobilized as was the case in the study above, but 8+ hours a day of not moving for 10, 20, 30 years... it's going to take a toll on your body. So do yourself a favor. Get up, move around, and take breaks from sitting. Get a chiropractic adjustment. Exercise daily, even if it's only a short walk. Keeping your joints and body mobile is absolutely essential if you want to maintain optimal health as you age.

Arthritis in German Shepherds

Large breed dogs like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and Great Danes are predisposed to certain bone and joint problems such as hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, and cruciate ligament rupture which could progress to osteoarthritis. These conditions will be discussed in brief below followed by recommendations for treatment.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia can occur at any stage in a dog's life. The earliest symptoms of hip dysplasia, often characterized by instability and awkwardness in movement can be seen even in puppies. This early onset of hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs has been traced to inheritance of any of the parents' characteristics which usually involve an abnormality in the hip joint. Abnormalities with the hip joint (a ball and socket joint) may vary. Hip dysplasia could stem from a misfit in the ball and socket joint (either the socket is too shallow or the ball is misshapen or too small).

Causes of hip dysplasia can differ and could involve a sudden growth spurt, over exhaustion, and obesity,

Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis mostly affects 4-8 months old dogs. Although it could be an inherited disease, osteochondrosis is more often linked with underdeveloped cartilage typically in the elbow and shoulders. Problems in the normal development of cartilage in these joints lead to unevenness in the joint surfaces which can cause misalignment and other problems with joint structuring. Like hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis can occur due to a growth spurt and over nutrition.

Cruciate ligament rupture

Pain, swelling, instability in the knee joint, and lameness are just some symptoms of cruciate ligament rupture. This disease which leads inevitably to chronic arthritis of the knee involves a rupture in the anterior cruciate ligament in the knees. Traumatic injuries involving the degeneration (in mild cases) and a sudden tear (in severe cases) in the ligament are cited as the primary causes of such condition in large breed dogs.

Osteoarthritis

Also known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis gradually progresses as the cartilage in the joint erodes. Extreme pain could signal the growth of bone spurs or osteophytes, calcium deposits in tensed and stressed areas in the joints. Wear and tear with frequent activity is more often associated with osteoarthritis.

Treatment for osteoarthritis

With mild cases of osteoarthritis, treatment often involves prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and/or steroids but since we are talking of large-breed dogs here, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly referred to as NSAIDs are more effective. However, NSAIDs do not really provide an effective treatment to arthritis as they only provide temporary pain relief but do nothing to assist in the repair of the damaged joint. In developed or severe cases of osteoarthritis especially stemming from pre-arthritis conditions such as cruciate ligament rupture and hip dysplasia, surgery may be required to stabilize the joints.

Recent USA laboratory studies in 2006 as reported by "The New England Journal of Medicine", showed that glucosamine chondroitin in combination, reduced arthritis pain in those suffering moderate to severe joint pain more effectively than NSAIDS. These same results are shown to be as effective in pets. Synflex Liquid Glucosamine is a leading brand when it comes to dietary glucosamine / chondroitin supplements for dogs. The once a day dosing of Synflex Liquid Glucosamine depends on the size and weight of your dog and the severity of his/her arthritis condition. The liquid form is superior in its ability to be absorbed by the body almost completely.

Another plus is the liquid form is much easier to give to your pet than pills. You can be certain with Syn-flex for Pets, your German Shepherd will be in top shape in no time. Please read more on Synflex and the types of joint diseases your pet may encounter at syn-flex-usa.com.